What Are The Best Skincare Products For Sun-Damaged Skin?

Remember the old days, when we used to spend entire summers in the sun without sunscreen, or slathered our bodies in oil to top up our tans? Little did we know then there would be hell to pay afterwards. *sighs*

Wrinkles, sun spots, dull and rough skin, sagginess… these are just some of the unwanted “presents” unprotected sun exposure has left on our skin. And now, we want to get rid of them. The sooner, the better!

While there is no quick fix to reverse these premature signs of ageing, there are lots of ways we can fight them these days. We just need creams and serums with the right ingredients.

The catch? If you’ve never used retinol before, you may experience some irritation until your skin has got used to it. To avoid that, start by applying a retinol serum or cream only once or twice a week, and increase frequency gradually.

You should also start with a small concentration. To treat sun-damaged skin, though, I recommend you switch to a 1% concentration as soon as your skin allows you to do so. And always use it at night (sunlight can deactivate retinol).

Best Products With Retinol

Paula’s Choice Skincare Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment ($55.00)
In addition to 1% retinol, it also contains antioxidant vitamin c, and a bunch of soothing ingredients, to help you reap its anti-ageing benefits without the side effects. It’s available at Paula’s Choice.

SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0 ($90.00)
One of the most powerful retinol products on the market, this treatment also contains a bunch of antioxidants that can fight free radicals, and emollients that moisturize skin. It also contains a generous amount of niacinamide, another ingredient that, as we’ll soon see, can help treat sun.damaged skin. It’s available at Derm Store.

Murad Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles ($65.00)
I left this for last because it is less potent than the other two treatments, but a much better and gentler option for sensitive skin. Why? Here, retinol is time-released. That means that, rather than hitting your skin all at once, retinol is gradually released over a period of several hours. So, you’re getting the benefits without the side effects. You can check out my full review here and buy it at Sephora.

Glycolic acid can be irritating in high concentrations (those that work best to treat sun-damaged skin), so the same precautions used with retinol apply here too. Start with using small concentrations once or twice a week, and increase both the dose and frequency gradually.

Because it removes layers of skin, glycolic acid can also make skin more susceptible to sun damage. So, either use it in the morning together with sunscreen, or at night (but only on days when you’re not already using retinol; they don’t work that well together).

Best Products With Glycolic Acid

Paula’s Choice Skincare Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid ($35.00)
Infused with 10% glycolic acid, this exfoliant also contains a bunch of antioxidants that help keep wrinkles at bay, and soothing agents to calm down any potential irritation the active ingredient may cause. It’s available at Paula’s Choice.

MD Formulations Vit-A-Plus Illuminating Serum ($65.00)
This fragrance-free serum contains 15% AHAs and a dollop of retinol too. It’s a very powerful treatment that will likely cause problems for sensitive skin. But everyone else will see a big improvement in our their skin looks and feels. You can buy it Amazon.

3. Hydroquinone: Fights Dark Spots

Hydroquinone is to dark spots what retinol is to wrinkles: the gold standard to treat them. It works in two ways:

It inhibits the activity of tyrosinase (the enzyme that controls the synthesis of melanin)

Best Products With Hydroquinone

Peter Thomas Roth De-Spot Plus ($75.00)
In addition to 2% hydroquinone, this treatment also contains vitamin c, an antioxidant that also has skin-lightening properties. Its fragrance may cause irritations in super sensitive skin, but everyone else shouldn’t have a problem with it. It’s available at Amazon.

4. Vitamin C: Treats Dullness, Sagginess, And Dark Spots

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants used in skincare. It isn’t just one ingredient, but is available in many forms. Some are more powerful than others, but they all have similar benefits. They can:

In high concentrations, vitamin c can be irritating, so again, use it sparingly at first and increase frequency gradually. It can also make skin more prone to sun damage, so don’t skip the sunscreen!

Best Products With Vitamin C

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Combination Antioxidant Treatment ($162.00)
The first product to contain the powerful combination of vitamins C + E and ferulic acid, it has since inspired many dupes. Still, the original is hard to beat (if you don’t mind the splurge, that is). It’s available at Derm Store.

Paula’s Choice Skincare Resist C15 Super Booster ($48.00)
If you do mind the splurge, you can opt for this much cheaper alternative. It gives you the same benefits at a fraction of the cost. Available at Paula’s Choice.

Niacinamide is also gentler than all the other ingredients mentioned above. You don’t need to take any particular precautions with it.

Best Products With Niacinamide

Olay Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment ($44.99)
In addition to niacinamide, this treatment also contains retinyl propionate, a gentler, but less effective, form of retinol. It is also infused with a bunch of antioxidants. You can buy it at Amazon.

Mary Kay TimeWise Even Complexion Essence ($35.00)
A powerful anti-ageing treatment, this cream contains niacinamide and vitamin c to fight wrinkles and dark spots. It is also infused with a bunch of antioxidants and undecylenoyl phenylalanine, another skin-lightening agent. It’s available at Amazon.

The Bottom Line

Retinol, glycolic acid, hydroquinone, vitamin c, and niacinamide are the best ways to treat sun damaged skin. They can’t erase all the damage (no topical product can do that yet), but, with regular use, they’ll make your skin look brighter, smoother, and younger.

What do you think are the best skincare products for sun-damaged skin? Are you using any of these?

Comments

Great post! I have alot of experience in this area, since malasma appeared on my forehead, and a little bit on my cheekbones, about ten years ago. Although I use glycolic acid, I have found that BHA (salycylic acid) has made a huge difference in getting that pigment to budge. I tried chemical peels and prescription lighteners; neither worked on me. BHA (I use Paula’s Choice) has made the difference.

Also — and I know this is controversial — the use of a Clarisonic twice a week has also helped diminish the pigment. I went back and forth on this for years, due to the expense, but the Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale made me cave. 😉 It really has helped my complexion. But the key is not to overdo it — I never use it on the same day as an exfoliating acid.

Just my experience — I’d be interested to hear what others have tried.

Laurie, thank you for sharing your experience. I’m sorry you have to deal with melasma, but glad you’ve found something that works for you. I’m surprised that salicylic acid works better than glycolic for you, but it just goes to show that we are all different, and you never know what works for you until you try it.

I think the problem with the Clarisonic is that, because it is marketed as a cleanser rather than the exfoliant it is, too many people abuse it. Used carefully like you do, it can be a great help. 🙂

I’ve tried Future Derm’s retinol product and I loved it. I very slowly increased the application frequency and only used a tiny bit each time and didn’t experience any irritations plus the product sunk in almost instantly. I’ve wanted to repurchase it but I didn’t want to shell out $55 again when I want to try other products. I’ve been using PC’s Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Serum With Retinol now (on my third tube). I don’t feel like I need a hardcore retinol product so I’m using that and really liking it since it locks moisture in my skin (after my shower) with its heavier silicone and oil consistency.
I do have a glycolic which I will use twice or sometimes just once a week at night. It’s an acne treatment using 2% glycolic as the weapon of choice and so I treat it as an exfoliator as opposed to acne control. I don’t break out very often and if I do, it usually goes a way in a few days.
I don’t use any hydroquinone as I’m not looking to lighten my skin or any dark spots. I have naturally pale skin (NC15 right now with a bit of summer color) and don’t care to lighten it.
I struggle to know when to incorporate niacinamide since I don’t want to mix it with my ascorbic acid in the morning.
Perhaps I should combine it at night with my antioxidant serum though the only product I own with niacinamide is a sunscreen I didn’t check thoroughly for the ingredients. I tend to use that if I need to reapply during the day and have wiped my face with a cotton pad and toner.
And sunscreen is evidently crucial to this regime or the UV rays will continue to cancel out the benefits.
I say lots of love and care should be given to sun-damaged skin and while these ingredients won’t reverse all damage, it’ll allow the skin to heal its best. Love because you should love and appreciate yourself every bit of the way (to being or in this case looking your best).

Janessa, you’re so young, you don’t need any hydroquinone or strong retinol serum. What you’re already using is enough to help you age more slowly. 🙂

You can still use that sunscreen in the morning. Just wait 30 minutes for ascorbic acid to fully penetrate skin, and then apply niacinamide. That way, the two won’t get into contact with each other and you’ll get the best of both worlds.

If that’s too long for you, use niacinamide at night. Both Olay and Paula’s Choice make some nice moisturizers with niacinamide, and they are all reasonably priced. 🙂

Much needed post for me Gio! 🙂 I love how Retional based products work on my skin. They make my skin smooth faster. I’ve also stocked up few hydroquinone creams to reverse my swimming tan (which is uneven). The thing is, I need to be extra careful with the sunlight after using such creams since they make my skin more photo-sensitive.

Lancy, glad you enjoyed the post and have found some products that work so well for you. And thank you for the remainder. All these ingredients are good, but they will only do so much if we don’t wear sunscreen daily. 🙂

I have so many of those products and I get so confused as to when to use what when! Could you lay out a routine for a 57 year old trying to get rid of a few sun spots? Sensitive skin but not overly so. Thanks

Mauree, we have so many options these days, it can get so confusing, can’t it?

Sure. Start by cleansing your skin. Then, in the morning, apply an antioxidant serum (choose one with both vitamins C and E and ferulic acid) and either a cream or serum. with hydroquinone. Order of application depends on the texture. Apply the most lightweight product first. Then, slather on moisturizer, and finish off with mineral sunscreen.

At night, after cleansing, you can alternate between an exfoliant with glycolic acid (or, if your sensitive skin can’t tolerate it, lactic acid) and a serum or moisturizer with retinol. If a serum, apply a moisturizer next.

Thank you so much for the reply! My problem is that I have gone a little crazy buying so many products in each category. I have overwhelmed myself! lol. I use and love the Timeless Vit C serum-a fraction of the cost of Skinceuticals.
The one thing I could use is a serum with hydroquinone. Do you have any recs?

I am going to use up what I have -may take until Xmas!
Thanks again for laying it out so clearly. I really enjoy your blog and reviews!

Hi!
I wanted to see if you could point me in the right direction.
I’m 34 with some sunspots, wrinkles with combination skin I use a spf moisturizer before I put on makeup but that’s it. I’m trying to improve my skin and help any more damage. There is so much out there I really don’t know where to start. Could you help me?!

I am new to caring for my skin and coming late to the party at almost 38 years old. I am overwhelmed with what to use and when from cleansers to anti aging products to moisturizer. Thanks for your articles! I have a lot to learn!